Rural Community Network and the Community Relations Council recently held a series of events to explore aspects of division in cross border, urban and rural communities beyond Belfast.

The well attended events were held in Banbridge, Omagh, Derry/L'derry and Ballymena over and explored a range of community relations issues which produced a range of diverse views and opinions..

Bebhinn McKinley, Rural Community Network, told us 'The events provided an opportunity for people to input to a piece of draft research which is being carried out the Institute of Conflict Research for Community Relations Council and Rural Community Network. The discussions have initially confirmed findings within the draft document that the concept of an interface, segregation and contested space is dramatically different outside of Belfast and that factors and indicators differ significantly in their nature.'

Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Relations Council, said 'These events provided the opportunity to bring a discussion which was formerly a 'city issue' into another realm of conversation. The debate on the options being put forward in the draft report will be integral to providing a clear definition Beyond Belfast.'

Rural Community Network's Chief Executive Officer, Michael Hughes, said 'While the core of these events does not explore the cost of division, they will highlight that in an era of scarce resources, the continuance of community engagement which requires two of everything or none of nothing because you can't or won't engage with each other is morally wrong.'

The research document is now being revised by ICR based on the comments made at the four sessions. If you would like more information on this research or findings to date contact Bebhinn 028 8676 6670 or email bebhinn@ruralcommunitynetwork.org alternatively visit www.ruralcommunitynetwork.org